Ridicule is generally made use of to laugh men out of virtue and good sense, by attacking everything praiseworthy in read more

Ridicule is generally made use of to laugh men out of virtue and good sense, by attacking everything praiseworthy in human life.

But the fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. read more

But the fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.

A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one.

A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one.

I know that there are things that never have been funny, and never will be. And I know that ridicule read more

I know that there are things that never have been funny, and never will be. And I know that ridicule may be a shield, but it is not a weapon.

Many men of genius must arise before a particular man of genius
can appear.

Many men of genius must arise before a particular man of genius
can appear.

Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.

Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.

Here lies our good Edmund, whose genius was such
We scarcely can praise it or blame it too much;
read more

Here lies our good Edmund, whose genius was such
We scarcely can praise it or blame it too much;
Who, born for the universe, narrow'd his mind,
And to party gave up what was meant for mankind.

Genius is only patience.
[Fr., Le Genie, c'est la patience.]

Genius is only patience.
[Fr., Le Genie, c'est la patience.]

It is the privilege of genius that to it life never grows commonplace as to the rest of us.

It is the privilege of genius that to it life never grows commonplace as to the rest of us.